August 04, 2013

Sunday Open Thread

"Places That Are Gone" - Tommy Keene

- This piece by "Bowling Alone" professor, Robert Putnam, about the marked contrast between the small Ohio town of his youth versus today, and the distinct lack of economic hope for most of its current citizens is worth a read. Nothing revelatory I guess, but this is a case where anecdotes actually do start adding up to data.

- Sullivan linked to this New York times article about a commencement address by writer George Saunders emphasizing the importance of kindness -- it's a lovely speech. I would say that if I tended to regret things in life it has less to do with failing to be kind -- although I have certainly had those moments -- and more to do with losing my temper. As I observed to a client recently, I've never regretted not losing my temper.

Alright, need to walk Stan, pick the kid up at the airport, and collapse on the couch.

Let us all pray to the internet gods that typepad restores the comments soon.

Comments

Sunday Open Thread

"Places That Are Gone" - Tommy Keene

- This piece by "Bowling Alone" professor, Robert Putnam, about the marked contrast between the small Ohio town of his youth versus today, and the distinct lack of economic hope for most of its current citizens is worth a read. Nothing revelatory I guess, but this is a case where anecdotes actually do start adding up to data.

- Sullivan linked to this New York times article about a commencement address by writer George Saunders emphasizing the importance of kindness -- it's a lovely speech. I would say that if I tended to regret things in life it has less to do with failing to be kind -- although I have certainly had those moments -- and more to do with losing my temper. As I observed to a client recently, I've never regretted not losing my temper.

Alright, need to walk Stan, pick the kid up at the airport, and collapse on the couch.

Let us all pray to the internet gods that typepad restores the comments soon.